No Idea – What to Do When You Have No Idea What To Do
Have no idea what to do? No problem! Here are my 10 best tips to get your mind coming up with a quick solution today.
No idea? Let’s chat about what to do when you have NO IDEA what to do.
Crossroad decisions…let’s be honest.
They can either be the scariest or most exciting decisions to make in life.
We all face them and the choices we make in those precious moments can absolutely define the rest of our days.
Woah…talk about pressure! But it’s the truth. Remember your life is a result of the choices you make.
The only problem is HOW DO YOU CHOOSE WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE NO IDEA?
Sometimes the right choice is obvious while at other times, the solution or decision is a little less clear.
And that’s what this post is about – helping you work out what to do when you have no idea what to do.
Here’s the thing – the real crux of this issue is that we are usually most uncertain when we have the most at stake, the most to gain, the most to lose, or the situation is filled with great potential and the idea of making one definitive choice terrifies us.
It’s tough yes.
Sometimes these important crossroads have no signs (ouch!) and sometimes the right path is characterized by a rough and bumpy road (which turns us off from picking that path).
If you are currently at a crossroads yourself here are some techniques to help you deal with uncertainty and make more intelligent decisions. This way you can work out what to do when you have no idea:
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE NO IDEA
TIP # 1 – Be clear about your values.
It’s easier to make a decision when you are aware of your core values.
If you are truly stuck re: what to do, return to your values and use these to guide you down the right path.
Ask yourself: what is most important to you?
What do you value the most?
Is it freedom?
Financial success?
Good health?
Happiness?
Emotional security?
Independence?
Your decisions and choices really do define your life so make sure they are aligned with your core values.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE NO IDEA
TIP # 2 – Gather more information.
Do you have enough information to make a good decision?
If not, take the time you need to gather all the information you need to make a wise choice.
Knowledge is power so take advantage of every possible resource you have at your disposal.
But please don’t confuse information gathering with procrastination – once you have done your quick research and gathered your info, make a decision and commit to it.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE NO IDEA
TIP # 3 – Avoid indecision as a decision.
There’s a difference between taking your time and being indecisive.
Yes they are not the same thing!
Make no mistake: failing to make a decision is a decision. Let me repeat that for you: failing to make a decision is a decision.
You need to understand that indecision is the enemy of progress.
Indecision only lets opportunities slip by. The worst decision is indecision.
You need to pick a path and go confidently in that direction. Don’t give your power way to others or let them flail in the wind.
When you don’t make a decision, you lose control of your future.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE NO IDEA
TIP # 4 – Ask a mentor for advice.
If you aren’t sure how to proceed with something, another great tip is simply to check in with someone you know has faced a similar dilemma.
Experience counts for a lot.
If they have walked in the trenches and they have some wisdom or guidance to share with you – ask for it!
Ask for guidance if it’s available to you from someone who has been there before and succeeded, instead of blindly following the advice of others who have no experience in the matter.
A true mentor will guide you, but he or she won’t make the decision for you – they know you need to make it for yourself.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE NO IDEA
TIP # 5 – Relax.
Have you ever tried to make an important decision while feeling stressed?
I have and it’s not fun.
Your brain really does work better when it’s relaxed and your best ideas and lightbulb moments often come when you are mentally at ease.
So take a long, hot bath, rest and give yourself some time to think properly about your situation.
An overly stressed state will only result in the inhibition of the higher functions of your brain.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE NO IDEA
TIP # 6 – Get some exercise.
Whenever I have to make a big decision I like to go for a walk.
It gives me a chance to clear my head and really get focused on my thoughts, without all the other distractions.
Honestly some of my best ideas have come while I have been at the gym or while working.
Physical exertion gives you the headspace to properly think about things, it alters your chemistry in a positive way, and ultimately may provide you with a new perspective on your dilemma.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE NO IDEA
TIP # 7 – Meditate or pray.
This option isn’t for everyone but it is a choice that still exists.
The mental state achieved through meditation and prayer can heighten your awareness about problems and dilemmas and put you in a better place to make a good decision.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE NO IDEA
TIP # 8 – What would you tell a friend in the same situation?
This is my secret tip that I love to use whenever I am stuck on something.
Do you suck at solving your own problems but find it easy to help others?
Dealing with the challenges of others can be much easier than dealing with your own.
So that’s the question you need to ask yourself now:
What advice would you give to a friend or family member if they had the same decision to make?
What’s the first thing that comes to mind?
Listen to what your response would be and know that it may be wise to take your own advice!
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE NO IDEA
TIP # 9 – Review your goals.
Each action you take either makes achieving your goals easier or harder.
How do your choices mesh with your goals?
Will Path A or Path B take you closer to or further way from your goals?
This can be an effective way to find an intelligent solution.
Think about your long term goals and make a decision based on what is necessary to get you there.
TIP # 10 – Consider the downside.
Sometimes there is more than one choice with the same potential benefits.
That’s why you need to consider the possible downsides to each option.
When two or more options have the same potential benefit, the choice with the least risk is often the best one.
To work this out do a PRO / CONS list and make a decision based on this information.
Finally it needs to be said that you also should trust your gut and intuition.
Go with what FEELS RIGHT TO YOU.
Don’t be afraid to trust your instincts.
Even if you’re still uncertain, make a choice and stick with it until you’re certain it was a wrong choice. You can always change your path after that!
Even a poor decision is usually better than no decision at all.
It’s true – the biggest decisions in life are often the most intimidating because you don’t want to make a mistake, you don’t want to pick a road only to discover later down the track that it was the wrong one.
But you still need to make a choice!
When you take action, you might discover a new idea for a better approach.
Or the wrong road may take you down the right side-street.
DO SOMETHING instead of doing nothing because as George Canning once so wisely said: Indecision and delays are the parents of failure.
That’s the ultimate answer to this question: trust your instincts and DO SOMETHING!
Before You Go…
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I’m Frances Vidakovic – a mindset & action coach for quietly ambitious women who want to stop overthinking and finally take aligned action. I help women achieve their goals and follow through on what matters, without sacrificing their sanity or soul.